Andy Roddick? Clay? WTF?

Question

Okay, Andy Roddick (one of the worst, if not the worst claycourt player in the top 10) outlasts Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the Rome Masters, defeats a claycourt specialist Tommy Robredo in the quarterfinals then retires with a bad back in the semis?

What are we supposed to make of this? How far can he really go at the French? Rome has slower clay than Roland Garros BTW. I just don't understand this result! Is it clay? Is it his opponents? Is it the luck of the draw? Is it location? What? He can win claycourt titles in Houston, win Davis Cup matches on clay and make it to the semis in Rome but can't make the third round at the French? WTF?

Answer 1

I know everything is crazy at the moment. Novak nearing the #2 like wtf?!!! Dont worry everything will get back to normal as soon as possible! Vamos Rafa

Answer 2

i don't know,maybe it's the love, hehe

wouldn't it be completely crazy if andy wins the french (impossible, hehe).-

Answer 3

its been very crazy this year starting back from australian open...... tsonga finalist in the AO! then here in the clay court season... federer beaten by wawrinka if im not mistaken... nadal lost the 2nd round in Rome... andy reached SF in Rome... ferrer also lost the 2nd round in rome but before that been a finalist in barcelona... davydenko defeated nadal in miami... wawrinka reached the finals then lost but reached top 10 in the rankings! many many crazy things this year..

Answer 4

It is tough to explain Roddick's results.  You bring up a good point that he has had some success on clay, so a 3rd or 4th round at the French should not be impossible.  With that said, he's only been past the 2nd round once, and that was his first year there in 2001.  His losses haven't even been to the typical "dirt dogs"..... last year he lost to Igor Andreev.  I think that there are lots of issues that he faces at the French.  1) His serve does less damage, so he tries too hard with it, and therefore further diminishes its effectiveness.  2) Opponents do not fear him as they do on any other surface.  They know that if they get the ball back in play, they will be in the match.  They know it and HE knows it.  3) He's not really sure how to play...... should he hit and come in ?  should he go for bigger serves ?   should he just stay back and try to out rally the opposition ?   On hard courts and grass he's one of the top 5 players in the world... however on clay he's merely a top 50 player.  If he gets the right draw and serves well, he can make it to the 3rd or 4th round.... if not, he'll get a jump on his grass court practice.

Now as for him being the worst top 10 clay court player, I'd still like his chances against James Blake on the dirt.